Lot
346

A painted grey pottery figure of a dancer

WESTERN HAN DYNASTY

A painted grey pottery figure of a dancer
Western Han Dynasty
Well modelled in standing position with forearms raised and hands hidden within the long, voluminous sleeves of the tight-fitting layered robes wrapped around the body to accentuate its silhouette and the graceful pose before flaring out at the hem above the blunt-toed shoes, the face carved with delicate features and the hair pulled back behind the ears and gathered into a knot on the back, with traces of white pigment and red and black paint, some chips and minor restoration
60 cm. high

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Lot Essay

While a number of pottery figures of dancers have been found in Han Dynasty tomb retinues, figures of this size are rare. The overall outstanding quality of this figure would indicate that it was made for the tomb of a high-ranking noble.
Wearing a traditional shen yi, which consisted of two layered robes belted with a silk sash, this graceful figure is caught in a pose while performing the long-sleeve dance (chongxiu). Until the end of the Warring States Period, such dance performances were strictly relegated by law, and limited to banquets and festive occasions held by the court and upper classes. During the Han period, the rules governing dancing were relaxed and the practice enjoyed a wider public.

The result of Oxford Authentication Ltd. thermoluminescence test no. C103f20 is consistent with the dating of this lot.

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